UX Designer I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer I

Company: Varsity Brands

Location: Farmers Branch, TX, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Execute foundational UI and UX design tasks for digital feature products, directly impacting thousands of teams across the country.

• Gain hands-on experience in component development, user research execution, and design critique participation.

• Learn and apply industry best practices for accessibility, content standards, and developer handoff processes.

• Collaborate closely with senior designers and stakeholders, iterating rapidly on feedback to refine product experiences.

• Contribute to the development of intuitive and valuable digital products within the Varsity Brands portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for an entry-level UX Designer, indicated by "UX Designer I" and the 0-2+ years of experience requirement. The focus is on executing defined design tasks under mentorship, rather than leading design strategy. The company's mission to "Save coaches and administrators time" highlights a key user-centric objective for the digital products this role will contribute to.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design individual screens and component variants for digital feature products, ensuring alignment with established design systems and user needs.

• Support senior design team members by shadowing usability testing sessions, assisting in script preparation, and participant screening.

• Integrate and apply the team's content standards, accessibility checklist (WCAG), and developer handoff procedures into all design deliverables.

• Actively participate in design critique sessions, providing constructive feedback and incorporating feedback from peers and stakeholders into design iterations.

• Assist in creating wireframes, prototypes, and visual design assets to communicate design concepts and solutions.

• Contribute to the synthesis of user research findings to inform design decisions and identify areas for improvement.

• Maintain an understanding of B2B tools, e-commerce functionalities, and configurator/customization product design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize execution and learning, with a strong focus on adhering to established processes and standards. The "Other duties as assigned" clause is standard but implies flexibility to support broader team initiatives as needed.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Formal education or certification in UX/UI Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field is required. Alternatively, equivalent portfolio-demonstrated skill will be considered.

Experience: 0–2+ years of professional or project-based design experience is preferred.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design: Ability to design solutions that effectively balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints.

• Communication & Presentation: Skill in articulating design rationale through presentations and documentation to diverse audiences (technical and non-technical).

• Collaboration & Feedback: Capacity to receive and integrate constructive feedback within a collaborative design environment.

• UX Research Fundamentals: Knowledge of foundational UX research methods, including usability testing and heuristic evaluation.

• Accessibility Awareness: Introductory knowledge of web accessibility standards and WCAG guidelines.

• Figma Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to use Figma for wireframing, visual design, and component creation.

• AI Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with using AI tools to accelerate design drafts, research synthesis, and documentation. Preferred Skills:

• E-commerce/B2B Design: Coursework or capstone projects involving e-commerce, B2B tools, or configurator/customization products.

• Advanced Accessibility: Deeper exposure to or coursework in WCAG accessibility guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating the "design process and problem-solving approach, not just polished final screens" is crucial for entry-level candidates. This indicates the company values understanding the 'why' behind design decisions and the methodology used, not just the final output.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Documentation: Showcase a clear, step-by-step design process, from initial problem definition and user research to ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Problem-Solving Examples: Include case studies that highlight specific user problems encountered and how your design solutions addressed them, detailing the rationale behind your choices.

• Figma Work Samples: Provide examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs created in Figma.

• Component Library Contribution: If applicable, demonstrate experience in designing or contributing to component libraries, showcasing an understanding of design systems.

• Accessibility Considerations: Highlight instances where accessibility standards (WCAG) were considered and integrated into the design process.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Examples of mapping out user journeys and creating intuitive workflows for digital products.

• Iterative Design: Demonstrate how feedback from testing or critiques was incorporated to improve initial designs.

• System Handoff: Showcase understanding of the developer handoff process, potentially including annotated mockups or specifications created in Figma.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to clearly articulate the candidate's understanding of the UX design lifecycle and their ability to apply foundational UX principles. Demonstrating proactive learning about accessibility and user-centered methodologies will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for entry-level UX Designers (0-2 years experience) in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a competitive salary range would typically fall between $60,000 and $75,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Farmers Branch, TX, the company's industry (sports apparel/equipment distribution), and the hybrid work model.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits

• Health Savings Account (HSA) Employer Contribution

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Opportunities

• Wellbeing Program

• 401(k) plan with company matching

• Company-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

• Company-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Generous My Time Off (PTO) policy

• Paid Holidays

• Varsity Brands Ownership Program

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union

• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities

• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment Working Hours:

The standard working hours for this full-time position are approximately 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, interview performance, and internal equity. The comprehensive benefits package indicates a commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Apparel & Equipment Distribution (Team Sports, Cheerleading, Dance). Varsity Brands operates as the parent company for BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit, making it a significant player in equipping and supporting athletic and spirit programs from the youth to collegiate levels.

Company Size: Varsity Brands is a large organization, employing over 6,000+ individuals across its divisions and network. This size suggests structured processes, established departments, and opportunities for cross-functional interaction.

Founded: BSN SPORTS has been operating for over 50 years, indicating a long-standing presence and deep understanding of its market. Varsity Brands itself is a consolidated entity that has grown significantly through acquisitions and organic expansion.

Team Structure:

• UX Team: The UX team is described as growing and collaborative, working on digital products across the BSN SPORTS and broader Varsity Brands portfolio.

• Reporting: The UX Designer I will report to senior team members and likely a UX Manager or Director, receiving direct mentorship.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis is placed on cross-functional collaboration with senior designers, stakeholders, and potentially development teams for handoff.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: The company mission ("Save coaches and administrators time") and the role's focus on user needs highlight a user-centric approach to product development.

• Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly detailed, the mention of usability testing, research execution, and analytics implies a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Agile/Iterative: Participation in design critiques and rapid iteration suggests an agile or iterative design methodology.

Company Website: https://www.varsitybrands.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission is deeply rooted in supporting coaches and administrators, which translates to a product design philosophy focused on efficiency, ease of use, and saving valuable time for busy professionals. Understanding this core purpose will be key for candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an entry-level "UX Designer I," signifying the beginning of a career path in UX/UI design. It's an opportunity to build foundational skills and gain practical experience within a large, established organization.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer I will work closely with and report to senior UX designers and potentially a UX Lead or Manager. This structure provides ample opportunity for direct mentorship, skill development, and learning best practices from experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "Revenue Operations" role, the UX Designer's work has a significant indirect impact on revenue by improving the user experience of digital platforms. Enhanced usability can lead to increased customer adoption, satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, greater sales efficiency and revenue generation for BSN SPORTS and Varsity Brands.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI, such as interaction design, visual design, user research, or accessibility.

• Mentorship & Learning: Direct mentorship from senior designers provides a structured learning environment to acquire industry best practices, tool proficiency, and design thinking methodologies.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to UX Designer II, Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or specialized roles within product design as experience and skills develop within the company.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Opportunities to collaborate with product managers, engineers, and marketing teams, providing a holistic view of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "I" in UX Designer I clearly denotes an entry-level position. Growth will be heavily dependent on the candidate's ability to learn quickly, absorb feedback, and demonstrate increasing competence in core UX/UI skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Varsity Brands HQ in Farmers Branch, TX, operating on a hybrid model (4 days in office, 1 day remote). This suggests a professional office setting with collaborative workspaces.

Office Location(s): 14460 Varsity Brands Way, Farmers Branch, TX 75244. This location is within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, offering access to amenities and a significant talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The description emphasizes a "growing, collaborative team" and participation in "design critique sessions," indicating a work environment that values teamwork and open communication.

• Tools & Technology: The team utilizes industry-standard tools like Figma and AI tools for design and research, ensuring designers have access to modern technology.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for in-person collaboration on designated office days, fostering team cohesion and facilitating direct mentorship and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time professional roles, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, offering a blend of in-person collaboration and remote work flexibility. Candidates should be comfortable with this arrangement and prepared for regular in-office presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of the resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design process.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will present their portfolio, discussing their design process and problem-solving approach. A design challenge may be given to assess practical skills, design thinking, and ability to work under constraints.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with senior designers and potentially product managers or engineers to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, cultural fit, and understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Final Interview: May involve discussions with leadership regarding career aspirations and alignment with the company's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Narrative Structure: Clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the outcomes (even if qualitative).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your points. Annotate key design decisions.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize how you arrived at your design solutions, not just the final polished screens. Detail your research, ideation, and iteration steps.

• Highlight Collaboration: If you worked on team projects, clearly define your contributions and how you collaborated with others.

• Accessibility Integration: If you have examples of considering accessibility, make them prominent.

• Tool Proficiency: Mention and demonstrate proficiency in Figma and any AI tools used.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any design challenge prompt. Ask clarifying questions.

• Time Management: Allocate time for understanding the problem, ideation, design execution, and preparation for presentation.

• Articulate Rationale: Be ready to explain your design choices, trade-offs, and how your solution meets user needs and business goals.

• Focus on Core UX: Even if the challenge is UI-focused, demonstrate an understanding of underlying user needs and flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating "design process and problem-solving approach" is critical. Candidates should prepare to walk through 2-3 strong case studies that showcase their ability to think critically and apply UX principles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for wireframing, visual design, prototyping, and component creation. Proficiency is explicitly required.

• AI Tools: Used to accelerate design drafts, research synthesis, and documentation, indicating a forward-thinking approach to design workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a UX Designer often benefits from understanding analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to interpret user behavior data and inform design decisions. Familiarity with data interpretation is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX design function, but an understanding of how design impacts B2B platforms and potentially e-commerce or configurator tools used by sales teams would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement. Candidates should also be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to learn how AI tools can enhance the design process, as this is a stated requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service: Leading with heart and championing community, reflecting a commitment to supporting users (coaches, administrators, athletes).

• Passion: Loving what they do, which fuels purpose in creating impactful digital experiences.

• Integrity: Owning actions and decisions, ensuring reliability and trustworthiness in design deliverables.

• Respect: Earning respect by giving it, fostering an inclusive environment for feedback and collaboration.

• Innovation: Continuously striving to improve designs and processes, staying ahead in the digital product space.

• Transparency: Openness and honesty in all aspects of work, including design discussions and feedback.

Collaboration Style:

• Growing & Collaborative: The team is described as collaborative, implying an environment where ideas are shared freely and teamwork is encouraged.

• Mentorship-Driven: Strong emphasis on learning from senior designers, suggesting a culture that supports knowledge transfer and skill development.

• Iterative Feedback: Active participation in design critiques indicates a culture where feedback is welcomed and used for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align well with a UX design role, emphasizing user empathy ("Service," "Respect"), continuous improvement ("Innovation"), and strong teamwork ("Collaboration," "Integrity"). Candidates should reflect these values in their responses.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A common challenge in UX design is finding the optimal balance between creating intuitive user experiences and meeting business objectives and technical constraints.

• Integrating Accessibility: Ensuring all designs meet WCAG standards requires diligent attention and continuous learning, especially for an entry-level role.

• Rapid Iteration & Feedback: Quickly incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders and iterating on designs efficiently can be demanding.

• Learning New Tools/Processes: Adapting to the company's specific design systems, workflows, and new AI tools will be an ongoing learning curve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX designers provides a structured path for skill enhancement.

• Hands-on Project Experience: Working on real-world digital products offers invaluable practical experience and portfolio-building opportunities.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to current UX/UI trends, accessibility standards, and efficient design workflows.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Learning from product managers, engineers, and other departments provides a broader understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company acknowledges that this is an entry-level role and implicitly supports growth through mentorship and practical experience, framing challenges as opportunities for development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design process for tackling a new feature or product. Walk me through a specific example from your portfolio." (Focus on your problem-solving, research, ideation, and iteration.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical limitations in your designs?" (Demonstrate an understanding of trade-offs and user-centered decision-making.)

• "Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism on your design. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Assess your ability to collaborate and iterate based on feedback.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility, and what are your thoughts on WCAG guidelines?" (Showcase your foundational knowledge and commitment to inclusive design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Varsity Brands and BSN SPORTS? How do you see your role contributing to our mission of saving coaches time?" (Research the company mission and values.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you prefer to collaborate with other designers and stakeholders?" (Align your response with the collaborative and mentorship-driven culture.)

• "What are your career aspirations in UX design over the next 2-3 years?" (Show ambition and a clear path for growth.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline: Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, and Outcome.

• Highlight Figma Work: Be prepared to share your screen and demonstrate specific Figma files, showcasing your skills in wireframing, prototyping, and component design.

• Explain Your 'Why': For every design decision, articulate the rationale behind it, linking it back to user needs, business goals, or research findings.

• Showcase Iterations: If possible, show how your designs evolved based on feedback or testing. This demonstrates a mature design process.

• Keep it Concise: Focus on your strongest projects and be mindful of time. Aim for 2-3 in-depth case studies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Emphasize the "design process and problem-solving approach" throughout your interview. Be ready to demonstrate your skills with Figma and articulate how you've used or would use AI tools to enhance your workflow.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer I position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Varsity Brands Workday career site.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design principles, your process in Figma, and any experience or knowledge related to B2B tools, e-commerce, or configurators. Ensure it clearly shows your design process, not just final screens.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly state your educational background (UX/UI, HCI, etc.) and any relevant project experience. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Design," "UI Design," "Figma," "Usability Testing," and "Accessibility." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on explaining your problem-solving approach, design decisions, and collaboration methods. Be ready to discuss your understanding of accessibility standards.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS, and Varsity Spirit. Understand their mission, values, and target audience to articulate your interest and how you align with their culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---